2017 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Startup

I am currently gearing up for a dynasty startup with the people over at FantasyPros so I've been putting together a cheat sheet of guys I want in dynasty. This particular dynasty league has a superflex and a regular flex, three starting running backs and five starting receivers, so there will be plenty of spots to fill up with "my guys."

Mike Evans, WR, Bucs
Of course this is an obvious pick, but one that you might be able to get later in dynasty startups than you think. A lot depends on whom you are drafting with, but if they aren't hardcore fake footballers, they will likely be seduced by one of the top running backs early.

You, of course, can't go wrong with Le'Veon Bell, Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson, but in dynasty, value is in the wide receiver position. Evans will just have turned 24 at the start of this season, and his quarterback Jameis Winston will still be 23. Evans has already shown he has plenty of fantasy upside of course, but these two are set up to be keeping us in fantasy points for many years to come, whereas all the running backs will likely fall off a cliff before Evans does.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
Going back to the idea that wide receivers should be the sturdy base of a dynasty team, someone like Watkins makes for a great target. Right now, Watkins is seen as an injury-prone receiver on a team that doesn't have a plan at quarterback other than to let its best one go, so many people will see Watkins as radioactive. But he will have just turned 24 at the start of this season and the Bills didn't pick up his fifth-year option. There is a great chance he moves to a better situation sooner than later, and in the end, his ability is what we are looking at long term. His injuries may be a concern, but I don't see any reason to think his injuries so far are going to keep him from having a full career.

Derrick Henry, RB, Titans
Henry has already shown me enough to believe he's going to be a solid contributor in his career and his battery-mate is older than the hills - if the hills were 29.5 years old. The Titans should increase his workload this season to keep Murray fresh, and by next year, I expect Henry to be the lead. Add in an up-and-coming quarterback in Marcus Mariota, and I want a piece of that running game.

Kenneth Dixon, RB, Ravens
Dixon got popped for PEDs and will miss the first four games of the 2017 season, but those four games aren't a huge concern for a dynasty team. I believe Dixon is a bargain right now as the 27th running back going off the board in dynasty drafts. He'll be just 23 years old this season, and he doesn't have much in the way of competition at this point. The suspension is worrisome, but also gives us a discount for a player who I like as a runner and receiver, and who fits the Baltimore offense well.

Isaiah Crowell, RB, Browns
Crowell continues to show us enough to believe he does have value as a starter in this league, and when you couple him with Hue Jackson, I feel like Crowell's upside is approachable under his offensive guidance. Crowell is still 24 years old, and his team got a boost in the offensive line this offseason. I expect him to have a good 2017 and a productive career if he can stay healthy.

Corey Coleman, WR, Browns
Coleman started out his rookie season hot, but slowed down due to injuries. I believe his skill set is strong enough to give him value on any team and his age, just 23, sets him up for a long productive time on your team. Josh Gordon's appeal was rejected, and he's looking less and less likely to hurt Coleman's targets moving forward.

Jamison Crowder, WR, Redskins
Crowder is one of my favorite receivers, as he is efficient and has a grouping of skills that should keep him as a strong slot receiver for years to come, especially since he'll have just turned 24 at the start of this season. I do hope the Redskins keep Kirk Cousins or trade for someone comparable, but Crowder's low profile should keep him as a value pick this year.

Breshad Perriman, WR, Ravens
Yes, I will take all of the post-hype injured wide receivers please! Perriman will get his chance this year to start and should see plenty of targets. I like what I've seen in very, very short flashes, and I'm ready to see it for a whole season.

Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins
I can see not going all-in on the Redskins' passing game if you're worried about their long-term quarterback situation, but they have some talented receivers, and Doctson is a guy who is a great post-hype dynasty pick. He has tremendous upside as a talent and can be had for much cheaper than last season.

Evan Engram, TE, Giants
Of course, you are going to want to take a hard look at rookies in your dynasty startups, but you also have to be ready to overpay for the top rookies. It makes sense. If you think a rookie is poised to have a long and amazing career, you want him on your team. Of course, you also don't have any NFL game-play to evaluate, and like every year, there will be busts. That's why I try to grab players who I like, but aren't being overly hyped.

Someone like Engram is going to go high for a tight end, but you can still get him around the eighth round. Plus, I believe he'll slowly become more a wide receiver than tight end, which is more valuable in fantasy due to the increase in routes run.

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
Going after those big paydays at quarterback are usually worthwhile if you think you can get a quality starter late in the draft. I usually wait on quarterbacks, but that also means I usually end up with a starter I like, but one who also might be as old as me - I'm super old. So I want that starter, of course, but I also want to buy a lottery ticket, and Mahomes is that for me this season.